What is gRPC?

gRPC is an open-source Remote Procedure Call (RPC) framework developed by Google. It allows for efficient communication between services in a microservices architecture by enabling applications to communicate with each other in a distributed environment. gRPC leverages HTTP/2 for transport, which provides advantages such as bi-directional streaming, flow control, and multiplexing of requests over a single connection.

The framework supports multiple programming languages, allowing developers to define service methods and message types using Protocol Buffers (protobuf), which are a language-agnostic way of serializing structured data. By using gRPC, developers can create scalable and high-performance APIs that facilitate smooth interoperability between various services.

Other options do not accurately describe gRPC. It is not a file compression tool, a type of database management system, or a programming language. Each of those alternatives represents different technologies and tools that serve other purposes in the software development landscape. This context helps clarify the unique role and advantages of gRPC as a robust communication framework.